Solar collector panel with temperature controlled bi-directional airflow

ABSTRACT

A solar collector panel is disclosed for heating ventilation air to a building interior, featuring a method for protecting the build-in solar cell panel from long term excessive heating, leading to damage of the panel, if the solar collector panel is turned off. Furthermore the solar collector panel features a method to create active cooling ventilation to a building interior during summer, by using a forced bi-directional airflow. The above is achived by using a build-in temperature controller. The temperature controller, located within the heater, is powered by a solar cell panel. The temperature controller relays a signal to one or more solar powered fans, to change the direction of the air flow through the heater, at a preset temperature measured within the panel.

The present invention relates to a solar collector panel, for heatingventilation air with solar energy. This solar collector panel ischaracterized by a thermostat, controlling one or more fans, forcing thedirection of the airflow to change at an adjustable, preset temperature,measured within the housing. This prevents the risk of long-termexcessive heat, damaging the build-in solar cell panel, when theconventional heat function is turned off. Also the system suppliescooling ventilation during summer, by drawing air from the interior of abuilding to free air.

BACKGROUND

solar collector panels are well known in the art. The French patent FR2500036 shows a typical simple solar collector panel comprising atransparent front panel, a heat absorber, thermally insulated from theback panel, and a passage between the front panel and the back panel,comprising an inlet opening for allowing cold air to flow into thepassage and an outlet opening for exit of the air heated. Prior artsolar collector panels like Doherty (WO2007100819) in section 0026, 0033and 0036, describes a solar collector panel comprising a plurality ofchannels and sections providing second means of heating to increaseefficiency. The heater comprises a temperature controller for turningthe fan(s), in the solar collector panel, on and off, once a presettemperature are obtained. The heater also comprises a recirculationfunction, having the air drawn out of the building and into the heateragain for reheating. Optional solar cells for generating electricity tooperate the fan(s) is mentioned. (section 0028). This solar collectorpanel has a one-way airflow, reheating interior air from a building andwith no cooling effect to the building. When the heater is turned off bythe temperature controller, there is no airflow, an no cooling effect toa build in solar cell panel.

The temperature controller is not described as electrically connectedand driven by the optional solar cells. In another prior art device, theJapanese invention D1, JP2004347146 A (TSUKAMOTO MINORU) Dec. 9, 2004, acontra rotation of the fan is mentioned (section 0017), having the airdrawn out of the indoor in the daytime. This is not performed at apreset temperature. In JP2002-267227A, an air charging system with twofans is shown in drawing no. 1, and in section 008, a reversible type offan is mentioned. These fans are not connected to a temperaturecontroller. Several other solar collector panels has a build in fandriven by a solar cell panel like in the JP2002005530. Generally, thepurpose of a solar collector panel is to provide heated air to abuilding interior during cold seasons. Normally the solar heat collectorpanel will be switched off during summer, but by doing that, the activeventilation is turned off as well. When the solar heat collector panelis turned off, the temperature rises due to stagnating air, and the riskof long-term excessive heating of the solar cell panel occurs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method forprotecting the build-in solar cell panel from long term excessiveheating, leading to damage of the panel, if the solar collector panel isturned off. Furthermore the solar collector panel, of the presentinvention, features a method to create active cooling ventilation to abuilding interior during summer.

The present invention featuring a unique temperature controlledbi-directional airflow, where the solar powered fan(s) are controlled bya solar powered temperature controller, drawing air out of a building tofree air, when a adjustable, preset temperature is reached within thehousing of the solar collector panel

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a solar collector panel, characterizedby an adjustable thermostat (8) and a switch (9), controlling one ormore fans (7), changing the direction of the airflow at a presettemperature. The thermostat (8), switch (9) and fan(s) (7) areelectrically powered by a solar cell panel (6).

The temperature reading of the thermostat sensor (8) electrically relaysa signal to the switch (9) turning the power from fan (7 a) to fan (7b), or by changing the polarity of one reversible fan (7), once presettemperature are obtained, and there by changing the direction of the airflow through the solar collector panel.

Once the temperature, again, is below the preset value, the thermostatsensor electrically relays a signal to the switch (9), turning the powerback from one fan (7 b) to another fan (7 a), or by changing thepolarity of one reversible fan (7), changing the direction of theairflow through the solar collector panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention are shown in the enclosed drawingsfor illustration of how the invention may be carried out, including thefollowing figures:

FIG. 1. Side view of a solar collector panel, according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2. Side view of a solar collector panel, according to a secondembodiment of the present invention, where the ventilation devicecomprises a single reverse action fan.

FIG. 3. Side view of solar collector panel, according to the secondembodiment of the invention, where the ventilation device, isalternatively placed at the other opening away from the building.

FIG. 4. Side view of a solar collector panel, according to a thirdembodiment of the invention, where the ventilation device comprises twoopposite rotating fans placed at the same opening.

FIG. 5. Side view of a solar collector panel, according to the thirdembodiment of the invention, where the ventilation devices arealternatively placed at other opening away from the building.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A solar collector panel according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention, where the ventilation device comprises two fans (7 a,b)powered by a solar cell panel (6), a thermostat (8) and a switch (9)also powered by the solar cell panel (6). The switch (9) has twoconditions, controlled by a thermostat (8).

The fans (7 a,b) are connected to a switch (9). When the temperature ofthe air inside the solar collector panel is below an adjustable, presettemperature, the thermostat (8) will drive the switch (9) to1^(st).condition, turning the fan (7 a) on, drawing the air through theinlet opening (3), through the solar collector panel, where it is heatedup and forced out of the outlet opening (4) to the building. In thiscondition the solar collector panel will produce warm air to thebuilding interior.

When the temperature inside the solar collector panel reaches the presettemperature, the thermostat (8) will drive the switch (9) to 2^(nd)condition, switching the fan (7 b) on, drawing air from opening (4)through the solar collector panel and forces the air out of anotheropening (3) to open air. In this condition, the solar collector panelwill draw interior air out of the building, maintaining coolness to thesolar cell panel, and creating ventilation and cooling effect to thebuilding.

In a second embodiment of the invention FIGS. 2&3. the ventilationdevice comprising a single reversible fan (7). The fan (7) is connectedto a switch (9). When the temperature of the air inside the solarcollector panel is below an adjustable, preset temperature, thethermostat (8) will drive the switch (9) to 1^(st).condition, turningthe fan (7) in one direction, drawing the air through the inlet opening(3), through the solar collector panel, where it is heated up and forcedout of the outlet opening (4) to the building interior. When thetemperature inside the solar collector panel reaches the presettemperature, the thermostat (8) will drive the switch (9) to 2^(nd)condition, forcing the fan (7) to turn in another direction, forcing theair to change direction as well, now drawing air from opening (4)through the solar collector panel and out of opening (3) to open air. Inthis condition, the solar collector panel will draw interior air out ofthe building, maintaining coolness to the solar cell panel, and creatingventilation and cooling effect to the building. In another version, ofthe first embodiment, the ventilation device comprises two oppositeturning fans (7 a,b) mounted at the same opening duct FIGS. 4&5.

The advantage of a construction with the fan(s) mounted at the openingto free air, away from the building(FIGS. 3&5), is a more quietoperation.

In another version, the present invention, comprises a thermostat ofmechanical art, like a bimetallic or a fluid-expansion type.

The fan (7 a), or the electricity to the single reversible fan (7),according to the invention, both performing an inlet flow to thebuilding interior, can be turned off, without breaking the thermalcontrol of the fan (7 b) or the 2^(nd) function of the single reversiblefan, both performing the unique feature reverse action airflow.

As the indoor temperature under normal conditions, will be equal orhigher than the outdoor temperature, the solar collector panel,according to the present invention, will not switch back to 1^(st)condition, unless the weather conditions changes, bringing thetemperature back under a preset value.

1. A solar collector panel with a housing (1), said housing comprising afront panel (2) of light-transmitting material, a heat collector (5), athermostat (8), at least two openings (3,4), and a ventilation device(7), wherein said solar collector panel, comprising a solar cell panel(6) electrically connected to a switch (9), with two conditionscontrolled by said thermostat (8), and where said ventilation device (7)is electrically connected to said switch (9), and where said thermostat(8) at a temperature below a preset temperature, drives said switch (9)into a 1^(st) condition, causing said ventilation device (7) to draw airinto said opening (3) and to blow air out of said opening (4), and wheresaid thermostat (8) at a temperature on or above the preset temperaturewill drive said switch into a 2^(nd) condition, causing said ventilationdevice (7) to blow air out of said opening (3) and to draw air throughsaid opening (4).
 2. A solar collector panel, according to claim 1,wherein said housing futher comprises a back panel, a top panel and twoside panels, wherein said light-transmitting front panel and said backpanel are connected to each other by said top, bottom and side panels tocreate a box-like housing.
 3. A solar collector panel, according toclaim 1, wherein said ventilation device (7) comprising a singlereversible fan, turning in one direction when said switch is in 1^(st)condition, and turning in another direction when said switch is in2^(nd).condition.
 4. A solar collector panel, according to claim 1,wherein said ventilation device (7) comprising two fans, and with saidswitch in 1^(st). condition, activating the primary fan, forcing the airin one direction out of said opening (4) and where the switch in a2^(nd). condition activating the secondary fan, forcing the air inanother direction into said opening (4).
 5. A solar collector panel,according to claim 4, wherein said ventilation device comprising twoopposite turning fans (7 a,b), placed at the same said opening (3,4) 6.A solar collector panel, according to any of claims 1-5, wherein saidthermostat is of a mecanical art.
 7. A solar collector panel, accordingto any of claims 1-5, wherein said thermostat is of a fluid-expansionart.
 8. A solar collector panel, according to any of claims 1-7, whereinsaid thermostat is temperature ajustable.